University Communications

Minot State, Minot Area Community Foundation bring UNITY to Minot

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University has partnered with the Minot Area Community Foundation to bring the UNITY Project to campus beginning Monday, Sept. 18 and continuing throughout MSU’s Homecoming 2017 week.

The UNITY Project, an interactive public art project that examines how labels both help and hinder our ability to build unity as a nation and as a human race, will conduct a media event on the lawn between Swain Hall and the Gordon B. Olson Library on the MSU campus. The event is set for Monday and Wednesday from Noon-6 p.m.; Tuesday from Noon- 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from Noon-7 p.m.; and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

UNITY is a circular arrangement of 32 poles in a large, outdoor area. Each pole is labeled with an identifier. For example, “I’m a parent,” “I speak English as a Second Language,” “I identify as LGBTQ,” etc. With yarn, participants tie to each pole with which they identify. A canopy of interconnectedness forms as more people participate. In the end, we see that we are all connected by something. This project celebrates the uniqueness of individuals and raises awareness of how labels impact our perception of and interactions with the world.

The creator of UNITY, Nancy Belmont, believes that this project can change the tone of our national conversation. She hopes that a renewed spirit of optimism, camaraderie and respectfulness emerges that prompts unitive leadership. Her vision is for communities around the country and even the world to build their own versions of the project, spreading unity around the globe.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.unityproject.com, Facebook by searching “Minot UNITY project,” or contact Beth Odahlen, MSU’s director for the Center for Engaged Teaching & Learning at beth.odahlen@minotstateu.edu.